Daly, who has arthritis in his right knee and applied to use a cart through the Americans with Disabilities Act, said diabetes is another reason he will be using the cart when competition begins Thursday. He said he wishes Woods had "all the facts'' before he commented on the matter.

"Might have been a different comment,’’ Daly, 53, told USA TODAY Sports. “As well as the Golf Channel Wednesday morning, when they bashed me pretty good, and a few others (who criticized Daly).’’

But Daly expressed no anger toward Woods, who famously won the 2008 U.S. Open with a stress fracture in his left tibia and a partially torn ACL in his left knee.

"Not at all. He's the best player I've ever played with or seen,’’ Daly said, before addressing Woods’ previous knee injuries that have cleared up.

"He got his fixed for some reason. No doctor will replace my knee because of a different type of problem. It's hard to explain why. I'm not a doctor. I just try to do what they say.

“Osteoarthritis is a tough thing, brother. If my knee was broke, I would have had it fixed. But my situation is totally different. It's painful as hell is all I can say. As was Tiger's, I'm sure.''

Daly has said osteoarthritis in his right knee is so severe that it prevents him from walking downhill.

John Daly will use a cart at this week's PGA Championship.(Photo: Thomas J. Russo, USA TODAY Sports)

“I’d love to walk,’’ he said. “I’ve done it for years. I think it’s a disadvantage to ride, anyway. Trust me, I just can’t.’’

Daly said he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in November, and that it has affected his lifestyle. “I don’t snack,’’ said Daly -- once notorious for eating M&Ms and drinking Diet Coke during competitive rounds. “I’ve cut back on everything except smoking my cigs.’’

He said he gets an injection every morning for diabetes and takes medication for high blood pressure, yet still experiences dizzy spells.

“It sucks getting old,’’ said Daly, who added that since November, he has lost 25 pounds. “Which is not enough, but baby steps.’’

Daly also said his liver is “not great but can regenerate.’’ His liver problems stem from longtime daily use of over-the-counter pain relievers, not alcohol, according to Daly.

“I never was an everyday drinker, especially now,’’ he said. “Might have a couple (of drinks), but not like I’m perceived.’’